SOUDERTON, Pa., July 18, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Univest Bank and Trust Co., a subsidiary of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania (Nasdaq:UVSP), today announced the appointment of Kevin B. Norris to president of its Wealth Management Division. Norris, who joined Univest earlier this year through the acquisition of Girard Partners, Ltd., succeeds Kenneth D. Hochstetler who announced his resignation in June to return to his hometown of Goshen, IN and lead Everence as president and CEO. Norris will remain president of Girard Partners, Ltd. – A Univest Wealth Management Company and oversee the following Wealth Management departments: Wealth Advisory and Planning Services, Univest Municipal Pension Services, Retirement Plan Services and Trust Services. In addition, Norris will serve as president of Univest Investments, Inc.

"Univest's acquisition of Girard was an investment to build the financial strength of our business as well as the expertise within our executive team," said Jeffrey M. Schweitzer, president and CEO of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania. "Kevin's 37 years of experience in the financial services industry and ability to grow Girard Partners since its inception to more than $550 million in assets under management was part of what attracted us to the company. Kevin's strong leadership skills coupled with his proven investment philosophy and client service model will be instrumental in further building Univest's credibility in delivering Wealth Management solutions to the greater Philadelphia region."

Norris holds FINRA Series 6, 7, 24, 53, 63 and 65 licenses as well as the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Insurance License to offer Life and Fixed Annuities and Variable Life/Variable Annuities. Norris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from LaSalle University. Like other Univest executives who actively participate in the company's Committed to Local philanthropic effort, Norris is active in giving back. He serves as treasurer of the Board of Directors and chairman of the Finance Committee at For Pete's Sake Cancer Respite Foundation. Norris resides in Holland, Pa.

In addition to the appointment of Norris, Univest promoted Joseph D. Blair, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), to senior vice president and senior financial advisor responsible for Wealth Advisory and Planning Services. Blair joined Univest in 2012 and has 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. In his new role, in addition to being responsible for providing individuals and families with comprehensive financial plans, investment services and advice on risk management, he will lead the team of six advisors. Blair earned his master's degree in business administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business, a master's degree from Harvard Kennedy School of Government/Graduate School of Design and a bachelor's degree cum laude in government from Harvard College. He serves on the board of directors of the MusicWorks Music Therapy and the New England Center for Children. Blair resides in Ardmore, Pa.

About Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania

Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania (UVSP), including its wholly-owned subsidiary, Univest Bank and Trust Co., has $2.2 billion in assets and more than $3.0 billion in assets under management and supervision through its Wealth Management lines of business. Headquartered in Souderton, Pa. and founded in 1876, the Corporation and its subsidiaries provide a full range of financial solutions for individuals, businesses, municipalities and nonprofit organizations in the Mid-Atlantic Region. Univest delivers these services through a network of more than 40 offices in southeastern Pennsylvania extending to the Lehigh Valley, Maryland and online at www.univest.net.

This press release of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania and the reports Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania files with the Securities and Exchange Commission often contain "forward-looking statements" relating to present or future trends or factors affecting the financial industry and, specifically, the financial operations, markets and products of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania. These forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. There are a number of important factors that could cause Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania's future results to differ materially from historical performance or projected performance. These factors include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant increase in competitive pressures among financial institutions; (2) changes in the interest rate environment that may reduce net interest margins; (3) changes in prepayment speeds, loan sale volumes, charge-offs and loan loss provisions; (4) general economic conditions; (5) legislative or regulatory changes that may adversely affect the businesses in which Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania is engaged; (6) technological issues which may adversely affect Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania's financial operations or customers; (7) changes in the securities markets or (8) risk factors mentioned in the reports and registration statements Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania undertakes no obligation to revise these forward-looking statements or to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release.

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